What is love?

Love is the first of the nine fruits of the spirit. These fruits describe Yah’s character: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.

How did the apostle Paul described love? 1Co_13:4-5Lovesuffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Love is not concentrating on myself. Love is giving of my time and energy to others…with a cheerful attitude. Many people can benefit from your love. It may be just a visit to a lonely neighbor, listening and showing concern for someone during a difficult time, or feeding someone who is hungry.

Have you recently had an argument with a relative, co-worker, or even your spouse? Go to that person in humility and love and make peace. Be the first to say, “I’m sorry.” Let the light of Messiah shine brightly within you. Ask Yah, “Father, I want to be a help to those in need. Please give me Your love and Your meekness so that I can show kindness to Your creation and to help care for them.” Sometimes showing love may be as simple as giving good advice to a person struggling with a decision.

Does Yahweh’s word speak about love? Deu_6:5 And thou shalt love YHWH thy Elohim with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Mat_22:39 And the second is like unto it,Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

First, I am to love Yahweh before anything else (family, pets, possessions, hobbies, my job, my cell phone, etc.). He must be the foremost and the center of my life.

Jos_22:5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of YHWH charged you, to love YHWH your Elohim, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Second, I am to love my neighbor as myself. Wow! That is a huge statement. As humans, we always want to make sure that we are taken care of first, right? Then, maybe if it’s convenient for me, I can go help someone in need. But is that Yah’s way? No, not per scripture. No, I am to love others and think of their needs, just like I would my own.

Deu 10:19Loveye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

How can I show more love to Yahweh and my neighbor?

Well, I think I need to show Yahweh the respect I would an earthly Father. I need to make an effort to get to know Him and build a strong bond and relationship with Him. I should talk in honor of Him, praise Him, and thank Him for creating this beautiful world that I live in and for creating me! I should be seeking His face continually, not only during times of trial but for daily counsel in my life. I believe He wants me to talk to Him about the big and the small decisions in my life.

Rev 4:11Thou art worthy, O YHWH, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

I can show Him I love Him by doing special things for Him. Maybe it’s just something you and Him know about, like a secret. That’s fun! Another way is to help others and to do kind things for them. Hugs are free!

Psa_18:1 I will love thee, O YHWH, my strength.

What is an example of love in the scriptures?

Joh_15:13 Greater lovehath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

When I read this scripture I think about all the believers who totally gave up their lives spiritually and yes, also physically. It reminds me of the prophets and the apostles and many others not even mentioned in the Word who gave up everything to be a follower of Yahweh.

Even though I think of those people, this scripture really reminds me of the Messiah. Yahshua died for all of us and shed His innocent blood to pay the penalty of our sins. This is unselfish love. Love also is to “offer up”, to give up something that you truly care for, to benefit others. That is unselfish love. That is the love of Yahweh for us…He allowed His only son to be offered up for us.

Jer_31:3 YHWH hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Take some time this week to reflect on your love for Yahweh and how you can love Him more. Make a decision to put that reflection into action and show more love!